Safe Travels Hawaii

[JGINPL]

Does anyone think that the State of Hawaii Safe Travels will eventually end soon? We are traveling in February and wondering if we should start the process of getting info in the system? Sounds like Hawaii may end the masks by year end from what I've been reading. So just wondering if Safe Travels would be the next to stop after that.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I would start the process. It shouldn't take more than 20 minutes.

 

[Great3]

Although it takes only 20 minutes, if you plan on using Vaccine Card to bypass quarantine, you could do it like 1-2 weeks before departure date, and it would be fine. There's no telling that will happen, but I believe Hawaii Safe Travels will be lifted soon, since >70% of population are fully vaccinated, and with COVID vaccine probably getting approved soon for kids 5-11, that number should go up a lot. Enough for them to drop Hawaii Safe Travels by Feb, I won't bet on it, so soon is relative, but I believe it will happen.

But you can wait to enter info, and it won't be too late 1-2 weeks before travel departure date. If you are planning on doing the Negative COVID testing to bypass quarantine, than yes, I would enter the info about 2 weeks earlier.

Have fun in Hawaii!!! I know I sure can't wait to get back!

Great3

 

[JGINPL]

thanks @Great3 and @CaptainAmerica and @tankin

 

[tankin]

I wouldn't count on Safe Travels going away... Ige gave an interview in the last few days that said as much (https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.co...ws/ige-eyeing-tweaks-to-safe-travels-program/)

 

[OKW Lover]

While I wouldn't count on it, I wouldn't be surprised if Hawaii dispenses with the safe travels stuff in the next several months. We were there in late September and there was much speculation about loosening the restrictions.

As a couple of the PP's have said though, it really doesn't take much time/effort to start the process.

 

[jimmymc]

I don't see it going away soon, since the numbers haven't gone as low as Hawaii has wanted, even though vaccine rates are up. I would expect it to when daily cases reach a very low number.

 

[lorenni]

Took me 5 minutes today to create my profile and add my travel info.

Now I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that they start accepting vaccines administered outside the US so we can avoid $600 in tests with their “trusted” labs. I’m all for testing, but what a racket when I can get the exact same test at my pharmacy for free. Sigh.

 

[Kristie71]

Took me 5 minutes today to create my profile and add my travel info.

Now I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that they start accepting vaccines administered outside the US so we can avoid $600 in tests with their “trusted” labs. I’m all for testing, but what a racket when I can get the exact same test at my pharmacy for free. Sigh.

The U.S is suppose to open to international travelers starting nov 8th As long as you are vaccinated with one on the CDC approval list. This includes the non Pfizer , J&J and Moderna vaccines

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ex...ional-travel-curbs-nov-8-official-2021-10-15/

 

[OKW Lover]

I don't see it going away soon, since the numbers haven't gone as low as Hawaii has wanted, even though vaccine rates are up. I would expect it to when daily cases reach a very low number.

Hawaii's numbers are well below the national average. According to data published daily by the Washington Post, Hawaii is amongst the lowest of the US states in terms of a 7-day rolling average of cases per 100,000 population. Today's data shows Hawaii and Connecticut at 9 with only FL better at 8.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Hawaii's numbers are well below the national average. According to data published daily by the Washington Post, Hawaii is amongst the lowest of the US states in terms of a 7-day rolling average of cases per 100,000 population. Today's data shows Hawaii and Connecticut at 9 with only FL better at 8.

Hawaii has never cared about anyone else's averages, however - partly because when we talk averages, they're on the low end for ICU beds per 1000 residents, and access to ICU beds can be weird in the islands.

 

[JLemaire7]

The U.S is suppose to open to international travelers starting nov 8th As long as you are vaccinated with one on the CDC approval list. This includes the non Pfizer , J&J and Moderna vaccines

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ex...ional-travel-curbs-nov-8-official-2021-10-15/

This is true however Hawaii will only accept vaccine cards if you have been vaccinated with an approved vaccine in the US. I believe they may be verifying / looking up vaccine records in some cases. I am not 100% on this though.

Hawaii will proceed with caution in opening due to low # of ICU beds. I am hopeful that eventually Safe Travels will go away but agree with others not anytime soon.

 

[lorenni]

The U.S is suppose to open to international travelers starting nov 8th As long as you are vaccinated with one on the CDC approval list. This includes the non Pfizer , J&J and Moderna vaccines

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ex...ional-travel-curbs-nov-8-official-2021-10-15/

I’m a US citizen and the US has always been open to me.

That said, each state can mandate its own quarantine rules. Hawaii‘s rule requires 10 days quarantine unless you can prove you are vaccinated to their satisfaction. As of today, Hawaii only accepts vaccinations administered in the US. This is specifically to be exempt from the Hawaii quarantine requirement. it is separate from being able to enter the US or even the Safe Oahu program (which does accept vaccines administered outside the US)

So as of today, yes, someone living outside the US can enter Hawaii. But you must either show vaccinations administered in the US, show a negative Covid test administered at one of their approved labs, or quarantine for 10 days. This will not change on November 8th, just because the federal rules have changed.

 

[jimmymc]

Hawaii's numbers are well below the national average. According to data published daily by the Washington Post, Hawaii is amongst the lowest of the US states in terms of a 7-day rolling average of cases per 100,000 population. Today's data shows Hawaii and Connecticut at 9 with only FL better at 8.

That is true, but I also know many Hawaiian locals are still not happy with those numbers. Before reopening to tourists, they were averaging single digits for total cases per day.

 

[StarSeven7]

Took me 5 minutes today to create my profile and add my travel info.

Now I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that they start accepting vaccines administered outside the US so we can avoid $600 in tests with their “trusted” labs. I’m all for testing, but what a racket when I can get the exact same test at my pharmacy for free. Sigh.

Where in Canada are you located that you're able to get a covid test for travel for free? Here in Ontario it's around $200 for a PCR test or $25-40 for an antigen test for travel. We had a local place that was doing PCR tests for free over the summer since we didn't have a travel clinic in town but they have since changed that and said the government is requiring them to charge for them now.

 

[lorenni]

Where in Canada are you located that you're able to get a covid test for travel for free? Here in Ontario it's around $200 for a PCR test or $25-40 for an antigen test for travel. We had a local place that was doing PCR tests for free over the summer since we didn't have a travel clinic in town but they have since changed that and said the government is requiring them to charge for them now.

Won’t work for Hawaii but to go anywhere else in the US I can book a rapid antigen test at my neighborhood Shoppers for $40.

So it is annoying that I have to go farther away and pay $200 each for a PCR test even though I have two shots of the same Pfizer vaccine.

I did travel out of the country last month and did the PCR test to re-enter Canada and even then it was only $89. $199 is a total racket.

 

[StarSeven7]

Won’t work for Hawaii but to go anywhere else in the US I can book a rapid antigen test at my neighborhood Shoppers for $40.

So it is annoying that I have to go farther away and pay $200 each for a PCR test even though I have two shots of the same Pfizer vaccine.

I did travel out of the country last month and did the PCR test to re-enter Canada and even then it was only $89. $199 is a total racket.

The rapid antigen test will work for Hawaii as of a November 8!

 

[lorenni]

The rapid antigen test will work for Hawaii as of a November 8!

Jut saw that! Also looks like we have to show proof of vaccination.

Don’t see anything yet about how this plays for kids who are not yet able to be vaccinated.

 

[StarSeven7]

Jut saw that! Also looks like we have to show proof of vaccination.

Don’t see anything yet about how this plays for kids who are not yet able to be vaccinated.

I responded more fully on the other thread!